Pregnancy may seem like the perfect time to sit back and relax. You may feel more tired than usual, your back may ache, and your ankles may be swollen. But guess what? There’s more to pregnancy and exercise than skipping it entirely. Unless you’re experiencing serious complications, sitting around won’t help. In fact, pregnancy can be a great time to get active — even if you haven’t exercised in a while.

Why exercise during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, exercise can:

Ease or prevent back pain and other discomforts

Boost your energy level

Prevent excess weight gain

Reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-related high blood pressure and postpartum depression

Increase stamina and muscle strength, which helps you prepare for labor

for the rest of the article click here http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-and-exercise/PR00096

Yesterday I saw a blog posted on Twitter by Lisa Druxman the founder of Stroller Strides. It was titled, miscarriage…please talk about it. After reading her blog I was inspired to share my story…On September 19th, 2007, my daughter Amelia was born still at 33wks. This was devistating of course but many of the emotions I felt were not what one would expect. I felt a tremendous amount of shame, guilt, and embarrasment. Later I learned these were common feelings among women suffering from pregnancy loss. They never found a cause for my little Amelia’s death, I know I did nothing wrong. However, those initial emotions of shame and guilt still keep me from sharing my experiences. I hope that speaking out today will encourage women to talk about how they are feeling, share your thoughts and experiences. You are not alone!!

As of October 6th we will be offering classes at Voelcker Park on Tuesday and Thursday. The classes will meet at the trail head of Salado Creek Greenway until construction on Voelker is completed. Sometime in Novemeber. To get to the trail head travel south on Old Blanco Rd past the old Roaring Twenties on right and past the bridge on left. Take a right on (what looks like a private drive) Voelcker Lane to parking area at historic homestead.

Remember to bring a mat and wear close toed shoes. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water and sunscreen for mom and baby Please arrive 10 minutes early. We leave promptly at 9:30am and would not want to leave anyone behind.

The answers to fitness success aren’t in the bookstore. You won’t find them in the latest government research labs. Forget about talk radio, late night TV, or a magazine rack full of scantily clad cover models.

You’ll uncover information and data there, for sure. You’ll find plenty of opinions, ideas and “proven techniques” too. But the REAL answers – the stuff you can use every day – can be found anytime at your local playground.

Everything you need to know about fitness and exercise, you can learn from kids.

The benefits of prenatal yoga

Prenatal yoga classes are more popular than ever. When paired with a cardiovascular exercise such as walking, yoga can be an ideal way to stay in shape during your pregnancy. This age-old practice keeps you limber, tones your muscles, and improves your balance and circulation, with little, if any, impact on your joints.

Yoga is also beneficial because it helps you learn to breathe deeply and relax, which will come in handy as you face the physical demands of labor, birth, and motherhood. In fact, one of the first things you learn in a yoga class is how to breathe fully. The breathing technique known as ujjayi requires you to take in air slowly through your nose, filling your lungs, and exhale completely until your stomach compresses.

We’ve all been told exercising during in pregnancy is good for mom and baby, but have you ever wondered why? Catherine Cram explains the benefits of prenatal exercise here.

Exercising during pregnancy can help with the physical challenges of pregnancy and help speed postpartum recovery. One other great point is that you mentally feel much better after exercise! I think that’s as important as the physical benefits, and also a strong motivator. Another benefit of prenatal fitness is that it can improve your baby’s ability to tolerate the stresses of labor and delivery. Research has shown that babies of exercising moms have fewer complications during labor and delivery (possibly as a result of a greater blood flow and fetal reserves resulting from their mother’s exercise). Another study found that the placentas of exercising women had greater blood flow from increased blood vessel development than those of pregnant women who didn’t exercise regularly. That may be one way that babies of exercising moms are better able to deal with reductions in uterine blood flow during times of stress. All great reasons to keep exercising during pregnancy!